The layout of the square, where work is starting on the £5m scheme in September, has already been finalised but the finishing touches – such as the type of paving stone – are still being worked on.

As part of this, the county council has suggested that large parts of the square could be shared between pedestrians and “less confident cyclists”.

In its description of the scheme, the council said: “We believe that the areas highlighted on the plan are sufficiently large to allow cyclists and pedestrians to share them comfortably and safely.

“The areas will have carefully designed paving slabs repeated through them showing cycle and pedestrian symbols.

“These aim to ensure all users realise that cyclists are allowed to be pedalling through.”

The plans will involve creating a large roundabout outside the rail station, along with two mini-roundabouts at the other end of the square in front of the Royal Oxford Hotel.

A series of public open spaces will be created on three sides of the square, which is named after Oxford’s patron saint.

It is through the middle two of these areas that the “shared space” will be created – with pedestrian-only areas to the sides.

County council leader Ian Hudspeth said: “It is to try and make it as easy as possible for people to cycle there.

“We are trying to see what people really feel and what the best possible space you could get out of it is.

“It is one thing to say let’s have lots of shared space, but would we be better off having more of a piazza with the ability to have tables and chairs?

“We are very open-minded about it at the moment.”

Simon Hunt, the chairman of Oxford cycling campaign group Cyclox, said cyclists tend to feel more at risk on roundabouts.

He said: “Any roundabout is always a concern for cyclists and here we have got three.

“Cyclists will shy away from them.”

Mr Hunt added: “I think the shared space idea is a sensible thing to do as long as there are areas which are designated for pedestrians only, and that should be associated with areas that are for cyclists only.”

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Comments

Well can I suggest insurance for cyclists because the minute pedestrian and cyclist come into contact there will be a lawsuit.

Well can I suggest insurance for cyclists because the minute pedestrian and cyclist come into contact there will be a lawsuit.Sandy Wimpole-Smythe

Well can I suggest insurance for cyclists because the minute pedestrian and cyclist come into contact there will be a lawsuit.

Score: -3

multitask
8:57am Sat 23 Aug 14

It is unlawful to ride a bicycle on the pavement so councils still bending the rules and laws to suit themselves then!

It is unlawful to ride a bicycle on the pavement so councils still bending the rules and laws to suit themselves then!multitask

It is unlawful to ride a bicycle on the pavement so councils still bending the rules and laws to suit themselves then!

Score: 6

Danny3
8:58am Sat 23 Aug 14

We've got the space, so why not just put in proper separate cycle paths instead of this shared space nonsense? It seems clear that the council is completely opposed to any kind of segregated space for cycling, even as the rest of the country works out that's theonly way to get ordinary people cycling en masse.

Among other problems, how is a cyclist supposed to get onto or off these "shared space" areas, given they're going to be entering on the roads? Are they allowed and expected to cross to/from the pavements to the roads at any point in the square?

We've got the space, so why not just put in proper separate cycle paths instead of this shared space nonsense? It seems clear that the council is completely opposed to any kind of segregated space for cycling, even as the rest of the country works out that's theonly way to get ordinary people cycling en masse.
Among other problems, how is a cyclist supposed to get onto or off these "shared space" areas, given they're going to be entering on the roads? Are they allowed and expected to cross to/from the pavements to the roads at any point in the square?Danny3

We've got the space, so why not just put in proper separate cycle paths instead of this shared space nonsense? It seems clear that the council is completely opposed to any kind of segregated space for cycling, even as the rest of the country works out that's theonly way to get ordinary people cycling en masse.

Among other problems, how is a cyclist supposed to get onto or off these "shared space" areas, given they're going to be entering on the roads? Are they allowed and expected to cross to/from the pavements to the roads at any point in the square?

Score: 18

HomerSimpsonDoh
9:50am Sat 23 Aug 14

What cyclists think that shared space mean is "I have got right of way, get out the fu##g way". It doesn't work now so why should it work there. Until cyclists are forced to take training they shouldn't be allowed on one.

What cyclists think that shared space mean is "I have got right of way, get out the fu##g way". It doesn't work now so why should it work there. Until cyclists are forced to take training they shouldn't be allowed on one.HomerSimpsonDoh

What cyclists think that shared space mean is "I have got right of way, get out the fu##g way". It doesn't work now so why should it work there. Until cyclists are forced to take training they shouldn't be allowed on one.

Score: -4

downfader
12:30pm Sat 23 Aug 14

Danny3 wrote…

We've got the space, so why not just put in proper separate cycle paths instead of this shared space nonsense? It seems clear that the council is completely opposed to any kind of segregated space for cycling, even as the rest of the country works out that's theonly way to get ordinary people cycling en masse.

Among other problems, how is a cyclist supposed to get onto or off these "shared space" areas, given they're going to be entering on the roads? Are they allowed and expected to cross to/from the pavements to the roads at any point in the square?

This issue goes way back and affects many councils. At my own council these "shared" routes (often more akin to being on a slalom - even where there is a designated cycle path section) are put in for two reasons:

1. a box ticking exercise so the council can brag "we have X miles of cycle infrastructure!" It is only when you see this that you realise it is not infrastructure at all:

https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=XuBdf9jY
j7o

2. many officials and councillors still subscribe that the car is king, that social mobility and travel we should aspire to is by motor - and that cycling will eventually die out.

The problem is that we're all getting fatter, lazier and far less active and suffering the consequences as well as the costs.

[quote][p][bold]Danny3[/bold] wrote:
We've got the space, so why not just put in proper separate cycle paths instead of this shared space nonsense? It seems clear that the council is completely opposed to any kind of segregated space for cycling, even as the rest of the country works out that's theonly way to get ordinary people cycling en masse.
Among other problems, how is a cyclist supposed to get onto or off these "shared space" areas, given they're going to be entering on the roads? Are they allowed and expected to cross to/from the pavements to the roads at any point in the square?[/p][/quote]This issue goes way back and affects many councils. At my own council these "shared" routes (often more akin to being on a slalom - even where there is a designated cycle path section) are put in for two reasons:
1. a box ticking exercise so the council can brag "we have X miles of cycle infrastructure!" It is only when you see this that you realise it is not infrastructure at all:
https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=XuBdf9jY
j7o
2. many officials and councillors still subscribe that the car is king, that social mobility and travel we should aspire to is by motor - and that cycling will eventually die out.
The problem is that we're all getting fatter, lazier and far less active and suffering the consequences as well as the costs.
http://road.cc/conte
nt/news/127145-cycli
ng-work-really-does-
make-you-thinner-con
firm-men-white-coatsdownfader

Danny3 wrote…

We've got the space, so why not just put in proper separate cycle paths instead of this shared space nonsense? It seems clear that the council is completely opposed to any kind of segregated space for cycling, even as the rest of the country works out that's theonly way to get ordinary people cycling en masse.

Among other problems, how is a cyclist supposed to get onto or off these "shared space" areas, given they're going to be entering on the roads? Are they allowed and expected to cross to/from the pavements to the roads at any point in the square?

This issue goes way back and affects many councils. At my own council these "shared" routes (often more akin to being on a slalom - even where there is a designated cycle path section) are put in for two reasons:

1. a box ticking exercise so the council can brag "we have X miles of cycle infrastructure!" It is only when you see this that you realise it is not infrastructure at all:

https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=XuBdf9jY
j7o

2. many officials and councillors still subscribe that the car is king, that social mobility and travel we should aspire to is by motor - and that cycling will eventually die out.

The problem is that we're all getting fatter, lazier and far less active and suffering the consequences as well as the costs.

downfader...
"The problem is that we're all getting fatter, lazier and far less active and suffering the consequences as well as the costs."
Speak for yourself pal, I'm fit healthy & very happy with life thankyou.
I cycle & walk everywhere within the ring road.
btw, fyi I'm 53 and 12 1/2 stone.melyn am byth

downfader...

"The problem is that we're all getting fatter, lazier and far less active and suffering the consequences as well as the costs."

[quote][p][bold]melyn am byth[/bold] wrote:
downfader...
"The problem is that we're all getting fatter, lazier and far less active and suffering the consequences as well as the costs."
Speak for yourself pal, I'm fit healthy & very happy with life thankyou.
I cycle & walk everywhere within the ring road.
btw, fyi I'm 53 and 12 1/2 stone.[/p][/quote]Well bully for youThe New Private Eye

melyn am byth wrote…

downfader...

"The problem is that we're all getting fatter, lazier and far less active and suffering the consequences as well as the costs."

Not convinced this is a brilliant idea. What with the planned development of the station, has anyone considered the impact of tourist milling around on the shared space. I live in a small tourist city where we have shared spaces and it doesn't work.

Not having been born with eyes in the back of my head, pedestrians here are permanently having to always look behind when having to avoid tourists who decide just to stand and gawp in the middle of the walkway - therefore in order to avoid colliding there's no alternative but to walk round them on the cycle space.

Not convinced this is a brilliant idea. What with the planned development of the station, has anyone considered the impact of tourist milling around on the shared space. I live in a small tourist city where we have shared spaces and it doesn't work.
Not having been born with eyes in the back of my head, pedestrians here are permanently having to always look behind when having to avoid tourists who decide just to stand and gawp in the middle of the walkway - therefore in order to avoid colliding there's no alternative but to walk round them on the cycle space.Palm89

Not convinced this is a brilliant idea. What with the planned development of the station, has anyone considered the impact of tourist milling around on the shared space. I live in a small tourist city where we have shared spaces and it doesn't work.

Not having been born with eyes in the back of my head, pedestrians here are permanently having to always look behind when having to avoid tourists who decide just to stand and gawp in the middle of the walkway - therefore in order to avoid colliding there's no alternative but to walk round them on the cycle space.

Ipsoregulated

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